Instructor told student "you are boring"
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Instructor told student "you are boring"
I am an instructor student in training and in the process of my classroom lesson to my "student" (CFI) I was told I was boring, even though this person is very pre occupied and not a whole lot supportive.
My question I guess, should the instructor teaching me which also happens to be the chief flying instructor at this school tell their student that they are boring and what should I do about it?
thank you
My question I guess, should the instructor teaching me which also happens to be the chief flying instructor at this school tell their student that they are boring and what should I do about it?
thank you
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Reminds me..
Of Patrick Swayze's line in Roadhouse..
Is she?
Are you?
I have had similar issues teaching diving, part of the instructor
course covers this exact thing all be it micro teaching subsets
of subjects.
One of the actual marking criteria is the pace and tone of
delivery. Maybe this is what he meant.
I'd suggestspeking to your CFI and seing exactly why he
said it.
Monotone + Technical lecture are not a good combination!
Drop me a PM if you want some of the notes on delivery /
presentation design for microteaching.
Regards
DaveA
Is she?
Are you?
I have had similar issues teaching diving, part of the instructor
course covers this exact thing all be it micro teaching subsets
of subjects.
One of the actual marking criteria is the pace and tone of
delivery. Maybe this is what he meant.
I'd suggestspeking to your CFI and seing exactly why he
said it.
Monotone + Technical lecture are not a good combination!
Drop me a PM if you want some of the notes on delivery /
presentation design for microteaching.
Regards
DaveA
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Tell him his wife didn't think so......
A couple of points from someone who is a Canadian Class 1 FI (i.e. qualified to teach the FI course).
1) I think your question goes to the heart of how good an instructor you want to be. The difference between a boring lecture and an interesting one is how much work you put into it and it is up to you to develop your presention skills. There is a huge amount of great information on Instructional Technique on the web. Use it to find tips and advice on how to present.
2) If your FI instructor told you the lesson was "boring" than he/she is not doing their job. What you need to know is why/how was it boring and what you need to do to improve. So ask for specific feedback
3) The bottom line is your success as a FI is not what you know or how well you personally can fly, it is how good you are at communicating the "what" . "Why" and the "how" to your students. Effective communication skills are vital to being a good instructor.
1) I think your question goes to the heart of how good an instructor you want to be. The difference between a boring lecture and an interesting one is how much work you put into it and it is up to you to develop your presention skills. There is a huge amount of great information on Instructional Technique on the web. Use it to find tips and advice on how to present.
2) If your FI instructor told you the lesson was "boring" than he/she is not doing their job. What you need to know is why/how was it boring and what you need to do to improve. So ask for specific feedback
3) The bottom line is your success as a FI is not what you know or how well you personally can fly, it is how good you are at communicating the "what" . "Why" and the "how" to your students. Effective communication skills are vital to being a good instructor.
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What a grade A tosser that guy is.
You see the problem with those sort of people think they are a a superior breed and he is basically taking the piss out of you. You need to get a backbone mate and confront him HEAD on. I can tell you now if someone had said that to me when i was doing my instructor rating i would have gone into orbit. And don't just go in there and say "can i talk to you please" get in there all guns blazing and tell him what a prat he obviously is!
You see the problem with those sort of people think they are a a superior breed and he is basically taking the piss out of you. You need to get a backbone mate and confront him HEAD on. I can tell you now if someone had said that to me when i was doing my instructor rating i would have gone into orbit. And don't just go in there and say "can i talk to you please" get in there all guns blazing and tell him what a prat he obviously is!
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Sorry, Kloe, but I think that your 'audience' was quite right to point out that you have a problem. Better to get honest feedback, find out now, and do something about it than get a reputation or 'lose' students in the future - because students will NOT tell you that your lectures are not that good... they'll just complain about you on PPrune! One of the most useful experiences of my life was the intensive Presentation Skills phase of a 4-week course training for a tour as an RAF recruiter. We spent hours preparing and delivering lectures and talks, being critiqued by instructors and our fellow students. We saw and learnt first hand how a dull delivery can 'lose' an audience in minutes. Many years later, I saw exactly that happen when a very intelligent young 'guru' delivered a technically brilliant presentation on an interesting topic (pay!) but, sitting at the back of the lecture room I could see the 'studes' losing interest. First of all some fidgeted and looked down at their hands, then a few admired the posters on the walls, a few looked up, some muttered to one another. Within 10 minutes only about 10% of the 140 studes were listening to him.
I'd embrace the opportunity to put it right. As suggested above, ask for more details and advice, and use it.
Good luck with the course!
I'd embrace the opportunity to put it right. As suggested above, ask for more details and advice, and use it.
Good luck with the course!
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My instructor is also the chief flying instructor.
Always late for our bookings
might potentially hire me
very busy school and this instructor has too many duties other than me
this instructor is not very comforting in the class as I present a lesson
My other instructor told me that I was doing a very good job in presenting
my present one pisses me off
always has a comment and I never was boring in previous occasions
my present instructor is not as excited and this instructor's mind is always occupied with dealing with school's problems, not a whole lot of concentration on the student which is me and others.
what should I do? find another school?
thanks
Always late for our bookings
might potentially hire me
very busy school and this instructor has too many duties other than me
this instructor is not very comforting in the class as I present a lesson
My other instructor told me that I was doing a very good job in presenting
my present one pisses me off
always has a comment and I never was boring in previous occasions
my present instructor is not as excited and this instructor's mind is always occupied with dealing with school's problems, not a whole lot of concentration on the student which is me and others.
what should I do? find another school?
thanks
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DS
Deepest South,
Sorry to disagree but...
There's no excuse for...
a) Rudeness from an Instructor to Student.
b) Lack of Feedback as to why a comment is made.
The job description kind of gives it away.
in⋅struc⋅tor [in-struhk-ter] –noun
1. a person who instructs; teacher.
2. a teacher in a college or university who ranks below an assistant professor.
To impart knowledge...
As a non-flyer I can only talk in generalities but.
If an 'Instructor' says. "You got that landing / checklist wrong".
What have you learnt? The key phrase is. Because you did (or didn't do)
X or Y or Z...
As is known around here, I teach diving. I can't think
of ever saying. "YOu got that wrong." Then getting out of the
water. It acheives absoloutly nothing, except, alienating the client / student.
Just my 2p worth.
DaveA
Sorry to disagree but...
There's no excuse for...
a) Rudeness from an Instructor to Student.
b) Lack of Feedback as to why a comment is made.
The job description kind of gives it away.
in⋅struc⋅tor [in-struhk-ter] –noun
1. a person who instructs; teacher.
2. a teacher in a college or university who ranks below an assistant professor.
To impart knowledge...
As a non-flyer I can only talk in generalities but.
If an 'Instructor' says. "You got that landing / checklist wrong".
What have you learnt? The key phrase is. Because you did (or didn't do)
X or Y or Z...
As is known around here, I teach diving. I can't think
of ever saying. "YOu got that wrong." Then getting out of the
water. It acheives absoloutly nothing, except, alienating the client / student.
Just my 2p worth.
DaveA
Last edited by Diver_Dave; 13th Jan 2009 at 21:52. Reason: Formatting
The Original Whirly
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kloe,
Pointing out to a potential instructor that his delivery is boring could be useful, IF he'd told you why. However, your second post makes it clear that you don't really want an answer. You've already decided that this guy is useless as an instructor, and that you want to go elsewhere. So why are you asking us? Trust your own judgement. GO!
Pointing out to a potential instructor that his delivery is boring could be useful, IF he'd told you why. However, your second post makes it clear that you don't really want an answer. You've already decided that this guy is useless as an instructor, and that you want to go elsewhere. So why are you asking us? Trust your own judgement. GO!
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Just relax and try to enjoy your lectures. Remember that when your briefing a student if they are keen then they will be enthusiastic. Feed off this but dont crack too many cheesy jokes!
Its the same all over the world. I remember when I started the FI course the instructor spent a while on the ground briefing about being patient and not shouting at the student. He then spend the entire hour just shouting at me. Needless to say I didnt fly with him again. Good luck with the course.
Its the same all over the world. I remember when I started the FI course the instructor spent a while on the ground briefing about being patient and not shouting at the student. He then spend the entire hour just shouting at me
. Needless to say I didnt fly with him again. Good luck with the course.
Some of the best instructors I know are boring.
In order to break things down into their component parts to present them to a student in a logical and methodical manner so that they will develop an understanding and learn, can be be very tedious. The type of instructor who can do this well, will often come accross as boring.
Regard it as an asset and carry on.
In order to break things down into their component parts to present them to a student in a logical and methodical manner so that they will develop an understanding and learn, can be be very tedious. The type of instructor who can do this well, will often come accross as boring.
Regard it as an asset and carry on.
Moderator
Being devil's advocate here...
Without context it is not easy, but if I thought a trainee instructor's delivery was "boring" I wouldn't hesitate to tell them so, as part of a constructive critique. It wouldn't be doing them any favours to say their brief was wonderful if it actually had a lot of areas for improvement. A lot of trainees are VERY boring before they develop confidence and a "style" of their own. You are paying to learn, not to be flattered. You get out of it what you put in.
A lot of training instructors is role playing, think about it from that angle before you judge the CFI. Not all students are "nice" some of them are absolutely horrible! but you still have to get the job done. Comfort and cotton wool in the course won't do you any favours at all in preparing you for the "real" world. The best instructors I had sometimes left me feeling like cr@p and ready to quit, but then more determined to improve. The nicety-nice ones were so busy wanting to be liked they taught me next to nothing.
Enjoy your instructor course, it's the most fun training there is, and learn to gracefully accept criticism from your more experienced colleagues as a way to improve yourself. You will have to, until the day you are a CFI yourself. Good luck!
Without context it is not easy, but if I thought a trainee instructor's delivery was "boring" I wouldn't hesitate to tell them so, as part of a constructive critique. It wouldn't be doing them any favours to say their brief was wonderful if it actually had a lot of areas for improvement. A lot of trainees are VERY boring before they develop confidence and a "style" of their own. You are paying to learn, not to be flattered. You get out of it what you put in.
A lot of training instructors is role playing, think about it from that angle before you judge the CFI. Not all students are "nice" some of them are absolutely horrible! but you still have to get the job done. Comfort and cotton wool in the course won't do you any favours at all in preparing you for the "real" world. The best instructors I had sometimes left me feeling like cr@p and ready to quit, but then more determined to improve. The nicety-nice ones were so busy wanting to be liked they taught me next to nothing.
Enjoy your instructor course, it's the most fun training there is, and learn to gracefully accept criticism from your more experienced colleagues as a way to improve yourself. You will have to, until the day you are a CFI yourself. Good luck!
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Thank you for all the comments folks.
My instructor which happens to be the chief flying instructor at this school, always has to have the last word.
I don't necessarily want to leave but it is very frustrating working with this person as this person is also dealing with personal issues and work issues.
This person is a nice person but before getting this position has not instructed in many many years, maybe they are rusty?
What do you do when you are not feeling like you are accomplishing a whole lot with this person and I tend to get itchy when I even fly with this person.
No disrespect or anything but I want to have fun learning again and right now I am not having fun which is what we should be doing.
I know another instructor at another school not too far away which always comes in with a smile and makes me feel good flying, any suggestions.
my miserable instructor again might potentially give me employment , not that there is not a shortage of instructors out there anyways.
thanks again
frustrated kloe
My instructor which happens to be the chief flying instructor at this school, always has to have the last word.
I don't necessarily want to leave but it is very frustrating working with this person as this person is also dealing with personal issues and work issues.
This person is a nice person but before getting this position has not instructed in many many years, maybe they are rusty?
What do you do when you are not feeling like you are accomplishing a whole lot with this person and I tend to get itchy when I even fly with this person.
No disrespect or anything but I want to have fun learning again and right now I am not having fun which is what we should be doing.
I know another instructor at another school not too far away which always comes in with a smile and makes me feel good flying, any suggestions.
my miserable instructor again might potentially give me employment , not that there is not a shortage of instructors out there anyways.
thanks again
frustrated kloe
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Kloe, i did half my FI course with an instructor who sounds similar to yours, and felt miserable and like i wasn't learning anything! I turned down guaranteed employment and went to another school to finish off...why work for someone you despise if there are other options. Of course if the chance of a job elsewhere is slim then it may be worth sticking it out! Just remember, they may be a CFI with thousands of hours but you're paying for their instruction...if you're not getting anything out of it then leave!
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As I see it, there are two vairents:
Firstly you could do something way out which would be attention grabbing. It may have been the rather tactless method of your instructor letting you know that this is what is missing. I have used this a few times with students - shock therapy (although I have never called any of them "boring" with regard to their lectures). The idea is that for the next lecture the student prepares something that is really attention getting (however I always briefed the student that this was what I was expecting). Reminds me of a time when I was a young instructor and had a class of young lads not much younger than me. I was teaching instruments and so got hold of an old altimeter, VSI and ASI and some screwdrivers - lesson taught, no boredom, much learnt.
Secondly it could be that your instructor is really not dedicated to delivering what you need - that could be simply because you do not get on (I remember instructors from when I first trained who I thought were really crass but others thought were the best thing since sliced bread), or it could be that the instructor is lacking in her own fundamental skills required to turn out quality instructors. If this is the case then you either need to insist on a change of instructors or go elsewhere.
Where I am, going elsewhere would not be a possibility as there is only one instructor course provider in the country. If someone came to me asking to change instructors then I would certainly sit up and listen to them and arrange for one of the other instructors to take the student. The instructor should realise that just as there are some students who do not get on with their PPL/CPL/IR instructors, there are also some students who cant get on with their instructor instructors. If this is the route that you choose though, I hope you will look back on this in the future when one of your own students asks for an instructor change from you.
One final note, I am about to run an instructor seminar where all the instructors are going to find out that I hold many of them in the same (or worse) contempt than your instructor showed to you, but I will be doing this in a nice and compasionate way and giving them the possibility to develop - those that do not want to develop have no place being instructors and as such can spend some time considering how they enjoyed being an instructor in the past.
RIX
Firstly you could do something way out which would be attention grabbing. It may have been the rather tactless method of your instructor letting you know that this is what is missing. I have used this a few times with students - shock therapy (although I have never called any of them "boring" with regard to their lectures). The idea is that for the next lecture the student prepares something that is really attention getting (however I always briefed the student that this was what I was expecting). Reminds me of a time when I was a young instructor and had a class of young lads not much younger than me. I was teaching instruments and so got hold of an old altimeter, VSI and ASI and some screwdrivers - lesson taught, no boredom, much learnt.
Secondly it could be that your instructor is really not dedicated to delivering what you need - that could be simply because you do not get on (I remember instructors from when I first trained who I thought were really crass but others thought were the best thing since sliced bread), or it could be that the instructor is lacking in her own fundamental skills required to turn out quality instructors. If this is the case then you either need to insist on a change of instructors or go elsewhere.
Where I am, going elsewhere would not be a possibility as there is only one instructor course provider in the country. If someone came to me asking to change instructors then I would certainly sit up and listen to them and arrange for one of the other instructors to take the student. The instructor should realise that just as there are some students who do not get on with their PPL/CPL/IR instructors, there are also some students who cant get on with their instructor instructors. If this is the route that you choose though, I hope you will look back on this in the future when one of your own students asks for an instructor change from you.
One final note, I am about to run an instructor seminar where all the instructors are going to find out that I hold many of them in the same (or worse) contempt than your instructor showed to you, but I will be doing this in a nice and compasionate way and giving them the possibility to develop - those that do not want to develop have no place being instructors and as such can spend some time considering how they enjoyed being an instructor in the past.
RIX